Reggie Bullock wins 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award

With his team entering Sunday’s Game 3 down 2-0 to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, Dallas Mavericks swingman Reggie Bullock seemingly broke his own news via social media that he had been selected as the winner of the 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award ahead of reports and the official announcement.

Posting a picture of the trophy to his Instagram story earlier in the day, Bullock further confirmed the news with a simple retweet on Twitter. Bullock captioned the picture on Instagram by writing, “Super honored to have won this award! My platform isn’t taken for granted and I’ll keep inspiring and doing what’s right for my ppl 💙🙏‼️”

According to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd in his pregame address, Abdul-Jabbar personally congratulated Bullock on winning the award Sunday morning in front of his Dallas teammates via a Zoom call.

“Reggie had no idea that we were doing that this morning, so things can stay a secret in-house,” Kidd explained to reporters. “But it’s a remarkable thing that our players are not just basketball players. But they are human, and they do have concerns. I think Reggie’s doing an incredible job with what he’s doing off the court.”

The NBA later tweeted out video of the interaction.

The award is given to a player that pursues social justice by advocating for individuals or groups of people who have been historically marginalized or systemically disadvantaged. Advocating on behalf of the LGBTQ community after his sister, Mia, identified as a trans woman and was murdered in 2014, Bullock will have a $100,000 donation made on his behalf to Kinston Teens — an organization rooted in his North Carolina hometown that works to amplify the voices of Kinston’s youth. Meanwhile, the other four finalists for the award — Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday, Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Toronto’s Fred VanVleet — will each receive $25,000 donations to an organization of their choice.

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NBA Announces Five Finalists for 2022 Social Justice Award

After awarding the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice award to Los Angeles Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony last season, the NBA announced on Monday the five finalists for this year’s honor.

Dallas Mavericks swingman Reggie Bullock, Milwaukee Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday, Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns and Toronto Raptors All-Star guard Fred VanVleet have been chosen as the five finalists for the 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award. According to the league, the annual award is “meant to recognize a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups who have been historically marginalized or systemically disadvantaged.”

The finalists for the award were selected by members of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion selection committee, which includes Abdul-Jabbar, Director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport Dr. Richard Lapchick, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía, Rise Founder and CEO Amanda Nguyen, and NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. The committee also includes youth representative Kendall Dudley, who is a member of the Jr. NBA Court of Leaders.

The winner of the award will be announced during the Western Conference Finals on TNT, and will receive a $100,000 donation from the NBA for a social justice organization of his choice.  Meanwhile, the other four finalists will each select a social justice organization to receive a $25,000 contribution on their behalf.

Earl K. Sneed on NBA TV

NBA TV links

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https://www.nba.com/watch/video/channels/nba_tv/2015/01/29/20150128-gt-arena-link-earl-sneed.nba

https://www.nba.com/watch/video/channels/nba_tv/2013/11/28/20131127-sneed-arena-link.nba

https://www.mavs.com/video/arena-link-earl-k-sneed/

Carmelo Anthony Wins Inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award

Although his 2020-21 season came to an abrupt end following Portland’s first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony still collected hardware for his work off the court.

Tuesday night, the NBA announced that Anthony was the winner of the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award. The 10-time All-Star was specifically recognized for his entrepreneurial and philanthropic work in the Black community, embodying Abdul-Jabbar’s mission to engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups. And after being named the first-ever recipient of the award, Anthony couldn’t contain his excitement while speaking with the NBA’s all-time leading scorer himself.

“Kareem, I was happy,” Anthony told Abdul-Jabbar as he accepted the award from its namesake during the NBA on TNT’s broadcast.

“You already know how I feel about this award,” Anthony added. “I’ve received a lot of awards throughout my life, throughout my career, but this award right here means a lot more than any other award that I’ve received. And I say that because of the times that we’re in, what we’re dealing with in our country, what we’re dealing with in the world and around the world. But also in our community — in the Black community. So, for me to receive that award, with all the great finalists that were involved in this and all the great people that could have been on this list … to honor me in that, I’m humbled.”

As winner of the award, Anthony has selected the Portland Art Museum’s Black Arts and Experiences Initiative to receive a $100,000 contribution on his behalf. The other four finalists for the award were Sacramento forward Harrison Barnes, Philadelphia forward Tobias Harris, Milwaukee point guard Jrue Holiday and Golden State forward Juan Toscano-Anderson, who will all select an organization to receive a $25,000 contribution as well. Anthony was selected by a committee composed of Abdul-Jabbar, Director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport Dr. Richard Lapchick, student activist Teyonna Lofton, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía, Rise Founder and CEO Amanda Nguyen, and NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum.

Anthony later took to Twitter, posting: “Humbled, honored, and motivated to live up to the namesake of this inaugural award. I can promise that I’ll continue to carry the torch and shine a light in the places that need it most. #STAYME7O

NBA Announces Finalists for First-Ever Social Justice Champion Award

Although the attention of the basketball world has been on the NBA playoffs, the league has continued to remain committed to the fight for social justice off the hardwood.

Friday, the NBA announced the five finalists for the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award. Portland’s Carmelo Anthony, Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes, Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris, Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday and Golden State’s Juan Toscano-Anderson have been selected as the five finalists, which were determined by a committee of Abdul-Jabbar, Director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport Dr. Richard Lapchick, student activist Teyonna Lofton, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía, Rise Founder and CEO Amanda Nguyen, and NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum.

Last month, the NBA announced the creation of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award, which will annually honor a current player pursuing social justice. The award will go to the player that upholds its values of equality, diversity and inclusion, with the winner garnering an opportunity to select an organization to receive $100,000 on his behalf. The other four finalists for the award will also select an organization to receive a contribution of $25,000.

The winner of the award will be announced prior to Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on TNT. 

NBA creates Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award

After decades of social activism during his playing days and in his post-career endeavors, it’s fitting that NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the namesake of the league’s newly-created award that will honor a player that emerges in the fight for social justice off the court.

Thursday, the NBA announced the creation of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award, which will annually honor a current player pursuing social justice. The award will go to the player that upholds its values of equality, diversity and inclusion, with the winner garnering an opportunity to select an organization to receive $100,000 on his behalf. The other four finalists for the award will also select an organization to receive a contribution of $25,000. It’s more incentive for players to get involved in their respective communities and in the fight for equality, according to the league’s all-time leading scorer.

“I’m thrilled,” Abdul-Jabber said of the honor in an interview with NBA.com’s Michael C. Wright. “I’m very honored that the NBA would name the Social Justice Award after me. I hope it serves as an inspiration to the guys in the league now to see what they can do. I think when they start competing with each other to do good things in their communities, we’ll get a lot of positive results from that.

“You know, when you want things to change, the change never comes on time,” the six-time MVP and six-time NBA champion added. “It’s always late. It’s aways much later than you wanted it to come. But those moments do come, and you have to appreciate them when they do.”

NBA legend Chris Webber takes social activism to classroom

His passionate speech to America after the police shooting of Jacob Blake went viral following the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to boycott their playoff game against the Orlando Magic on August 26, 2020. Now, NBA legend Chris Webber has taken his message to the virtual classroom.

Webber has teamed up with Morehouse College to lead “Activism in Sports and Culture,” an online course through on-demand streaming platform Coursera. The course is offered free to audit, or $49 for credits.

“I wanted to have a voice in here, ’cause I feel like we only have the same couple of voices talking during these times. So, it’s very important for me to come on here,” Webber said back in August to a nationally-televised audience. “I keep hearing the question like, ‘What’s next? What’s next?’ Well, you’ve got to plan what’s next. You have to figure out what’s next. I’m very proud of the players. I don’t know the next steps. I don’t really care what the next steps are, because the first steps are to garner attention. And they have everybody’s attention around the world right now. Then, leadership and others will get together and decide the next steps. So, we know it won’t end tomorrow. We know that there’s been a million marches, and nothing will change tomorrow.”

However, by taking his activism to the classroom, the five-time NBA All-Star will be a part of that change whenever it happens.

WNBA’s Renee Montgomery retires after joining social activism movement

After opting out of the 2020 WNBA season to focus on social activism and justice reform, two-time champion Renee Montgomery announced her retirement Tuesday to continue the fight for equality.

Montgomery played a total of 11 seasons in the WNBA, garnering All-Star honors in 2011 and taking home the Sixth Woman of the Year award in 2012. The No. 4 pick in the ’09 draft spent the ’18 and ’19 seasons with the Atlanta Dream after previously spending time with the Connecticut Sun and the Minnesota Lynx, winning two titles with the ladder in ’15 and ’17. All told, she finishes her career averaging 9.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 364 games. The 34-year-old now hints at continuing the fight for social justice in her post-career endeavors.

I don’t know how to feel about this, so this segment is called, ‘Dear Basketball,’ Montgomery said while invoking the spirt of the late Kobe Bryant during her announcement. “I’m sure you can assume why, so I’ve always wondered what like my ‘Dear Basketball’ moment was going to be like. And now that it’s here, I’m a little bit nervous — speechless.

“One moment last year turned into a movement,” she added on Twitter. “The marathon will continue…”

Nets’ Kyrie Irving keeps focus on social impact while returning from lengthy hiatus

Admittedly trying to balance his impact on the court and his impact in the world of social activism, Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving made his return to the team Tuesday after a lengthy hiatus due to personal reasons and the NBA’s health and safety protocol.

Irving hasn’t played since scoring 29 points in 30 minutes during Brooklyn’s 130-96 win over Utah on Jan. 5, missing the Nets’ last seven games. Five of those absences were due to personal reasons and the last two were for conditioning after video surfaced of Irving at a family birthday party without wearing a mask, leading the NBA to fine the perennial All-Star $50,000 for violating health and safety protocols. But with those issues now behind him, Irving says he’s ready to return to the court and assist the Nets (9-6) in their championship pursuit.

“It’s a lot of family and personal stuff going on, so I just want to leave it at that,” Irving matter-of-factly told reporters Tuesday.

“I’m happy to be back,” he added. “Happy to be around these guys. Addressed the team, addressed everybody that needs to be addressed. Now I can move on. … Happy to be back.”

Despite facing criticism for his handling of things off the court, Irving has excelled this season on the hardwood while averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists through seven games, connecting on 50.4 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from three-point range. Tuning out the external noise from critics, Irving says the team’s support during his hiatus will now allow him to pick up where he left off at before tending to his personal matters. It’s that show of support from teammates and the Nets’ brass that Irving adds will allow the new-look squad to hit the ground running when it returns to the court Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers in what is expected to be the team’s first outing with Irving available after Brooklyn acquired eight-time All-Star James Harden from Houston in a four-team trade on Jan. 14.

“It’s been enough support for me to, you know, feel like they have my back, and that’s all I can ask for. You know, to support not only me but my family,” Irving confessed. “You know, I’m a hometown kid, so things get a little different with family and personal stuff going on. And that’s up to me to handle that as a man. So, yeah, I just take full responsibility for my absence with the guys, and just had a conversation with each one of them. And we move on.

“The thing that’s pretty interesting in watching, when you take a break from everything, there’s just so many assumptions about what’s going on. And so many people feel like they know me best, and they have no idea who I am, or what I’m about, or what I stand for, or even attempt to take the time,” Irving detailed to reporters. “Or even for me to invite them to take the time, so it’s a two-way street. And when things become overwhelming in life, you know, you’ve just got to take a step back and realize what’s important. I love to play. That’s never been questioned. I committed myself when this wasn’t even a thing for me. You know, I didn’t really care about media, didn’t really care about the fandom. All I cared about was just the ethics of the game and being taught the fundamentals. Now that it’s become bigger, and there’s more of a responsibility that I have in this position that I’m in, I’m grateful because I’m able to stand on this platform with others alongside of me that have sacrificed and are going through similar things. So, I’m not alone in this, and you know, that’s just a big thing about also mental health. You know, just coming in and being balanced with yourself first, and then being able to perform. So, you know, with everything going on in the world politically, socially, like I said, it’s hard to ignore. I want to make changes daily. You know, there’s so many oppressed communities, so many things going on that are bigger than just a ball going in the rim. So, for me, like I said, it’s just the balance of it of knowing I can delegate my responsibilities off the court to people that I’m surrounded around that are for the fight and are fighting behind the scenes and in front in the lines. Like I said, I’m not the only one that’s fighting, so I’m grateful to unify with others. And that’s all I’ve tried to do, and on the court the same way. Just play with a smile, leave something that I’ve felt very dear to my heart with this game. And then whatever my legacy is as a person, that’s all I care about.”

Irving’s impact off the court has been well-documented, stepping to the forefront in the fight for social justice while committing to pay $1.5 million to supplement the income of WNBA players that opted out of playing the 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns. It was also reported during Irving’s time away from the Nets that he purchased a home for the family of George Floyd, a Black man who died in Minneapolis last May while in police custody after a white officer kneeled on his neck for nearly eight minutes. And according to the 2016 NBA champion, it’s his impact off the court that he wants to define his legacy.

“As you can see, you know, there’s a deeper level of emotions that I have for helping and serving people around the world. And I’ve done it since I was a kid. I’ll continue on way after basketball,” Irving proclaimed. “Basketball has given me enough, when I say perspective and attention on some of the things I’ve been into. And now that my life has changed, you know, with that change comes accepting that there’s older versions of me that I didn’t necessarily like or things that I’d like to do different, or conversations that I’d like to have with different people to address, you know, man-to-man talk or man-to-woman talk or just honest talk. And we all deserve that. You know, there’s nothing normal about this life that I live. It’s just something I’ve come to accept and embrace as, ‘Let me use this as a tool to be able to change things that I want to see in the world.’ And I have to be honest with myself about how much energy I give that and how many others I’m actually impacting. So, when I remove myself from something, you can definitely feel the weight and the absence definitely means something. And I’m aware of that. Like I said, I take full accountability. To those who are leading with me and also following alongside walking beside me: we’re going to get through this. This world is a wacky place at times, but as long as we persevere together, and as long as we continue to just tell each other the truth about how we feel about each other, you know, that’s a big thing. I just want honesty, and in order to be honest, I’ve got to be honest with myself. And that’s the first thing. I know I can talk in circles and I know all these words get used, but I’m just being honest here. It’s been a lot to balance, and now I called for help. And now I have just so many mentors and so many people reaching out, and just taking things off my plate that were never mine in the first place. And they are better suited for that position, so I’ll just play my role on this big team of change in the world and others will do the same.”